Adopt A Horse

Thank you for your interest in adopting a horse. With every horse that comes into our care, our goal is to rehabilitate them back to health and to then be adopted into a perfect, forever home. If you are considering adopting a rescue horse, please take the time to read through the information listed below BEFORE completing an expression of interest.

General Information About Adopting a Rescue Horse

Please remember that our horses are rescues. This means that they were either rescued from abuse or neglect, from the dogger sales or the knackery or they were surrendered by someone who could no longer care for them.

Sometimes we will have very little history. We don’t know where they have come from or what has happened to them. In some cases, the horses have had little or no handling before they came to us.

Note that our volunteers and foster carers have preference for adopting horses, particularly if they have been caring for the horse. Carers will still have to submit an expression of interest and be assessed as the best possible home. All adoptions, without exception, are under contract.

We will only ever put a horse up for adoption when it is completely well. Some horses may not be suitable for riding due to age, injury or other conditions. However, they will be completely paddock sound and appropriate as companion horses.

We will always provide full information regarding what we know about the horse’s history, its health and everything we’ve learned about it since it has been in our care. We will endeavour to find an owner with the experience required for each individual horse.

Taking this into account, please consider carefully about adopting a rescue horse for a child. If you want a first horse for your child, we recommend finding a proven child’s pony and not a rescue horse.

We do not allow breeding with any of our horses. One of the reasons there are so many horses to be rescued is overbreeding. There are far too many unwanted horses in this world already.

All of our horses are adopted subject to an Adoption Contract – for the life of the horse. This means that if for any reason the new owner cannot care for the horse, it must be returned to SAHA. The horse cannot be sold or given away. This is so we can keep track of the horses so that they do not return to the cycle of abuse, neglect and the knackery pens. Please read our Adoption Conditions before expressing an interest in a horse.

Adoption Areas

We can adopt to anywhere in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and Victoria subject to the following conditions:

– Aged horses over 20 years of age are restricted to adoption within 400km of their current residence (in South East Queensland). This is due to the stress of transportation on older horses.

– If you are adopting a riding horse, you MUST come to South East Queensland to meet the horse. We prefer you to come and meet any horse you are adopting but will make an exception if your application is strong for a non-riding horse.

– You MUST arrange transport for the horse when you take it home.

– If you cannot keep the horse and need to return it to SAHA, you MUST arrange transport back to one of our sanctuaries in South East Queensland.

How to Express your Interest in Adopting a Rescue Horse

2. Please note that submitting an application expresses your interest in a horse but it does not commit you to the adoption process. Applications are reviewed by our Adoption Coordinator, who will select the most suitable applicants for the particular horse. Please understand that submitting an application does NOT guarantee you will be successful in adopting that horse. Our aim is to find the perfect home for that particular horse.

3. Please go through the list of horses up for adoption to see horses currently available.Please tell us about the type of horse you are looking for and your plans for it so we can try to make the best possible match for you.

If you are a beginner, please be absolutely certain that the horse you are applying for is suitable. We will state clearly if the horse is suitable for beginners (note this is rare!)

4. Please complete the application form, making sure you provide as much detail as possible and check that you have completed every box marked with an asterix (*).

5. Check that your form has submitted correctly – a thank you screen will notify you that your form has submitted. If you are returned to the application, you have missed information – check for errors and correct the information required. We will also immediately email you with a copy of your application. If you don’t receive this, your application did not submit.

What Happens Next?

1. If you are a suitable candidate, we will arrange an interview to meet your horse.

2. We contact everyone who submits an application form but please be patient – we will contact you as soon as we can.

3. Any enquiries regarding your application can be directed by emailto our Adoptions Coordinator. Please don’t comment on Facebook if you haven’t heard anything. Email us directly with all of your enquiries.

Ready to Apply?

It is important that you answer all of the questions as accurately as possible, as the information you provide will be used to match you to the perfect horse. Fill out an expression of interest by clicking on the button.